Two Jewish shepherds from Itamar were injured on the adjacent Arnon
Hill (777) on Thursday by a gang of local Arabs wielding clubs and
rocks.

IDF forces were called to the scene and succeeded in dispersing the
Arabs, who were still throwing stones at the shepherds.

The scalp of one shepherd was torn open, while the other sustained
injuries to his hands and lower body. Both received medical treatment
at the scene.

Samaria Council head Gershon Mesika said that the incident was a
serious one.

“It could have ended in a ´lynch´ murder by Arabs of the two Jewish
farmers. This is the second such incident in this area. Both
incidents had the same characteristics, and the perpetrators both
came from the same village.”

A similar attack occurred last week near Itamar when ​​Arabs from
Akraba and radical left-wing activists from the "Combatants for
Peace" organization accosted local Jews.

Mesika said that “in the previous incident, leftist activists brought
the Arab rioters along with them. The leftists push the Jews out of
the area with orders from the Civil Administration, so there is no
reason not to ban the radical leftist activists who stir up the
villagers to riot and act violently.”

Rabbi Natan Chai of Itamar called on security officials to act with
determination to stop the recent round of terror attacks in the area.
“There are groups who are working hard to attack Jews,” he said. “If
we do not stop them now we will be sorry tomorrow," the rabbi
said. "I am shocked at the attack on the brother of Rabbi Fogel.
Itamar will continue to grow and thrive, despite the continued
attacks by Arabs and their lackeys on us.

IDF forces on Wednesday morning also stopped a would-be terrorist
bomber at a checkpoint east of Shechem in northern Samaria, not far
from Itamar.

A spokesperson for the IDF said the terrorist was carrying improvised
explosive devices, three knives, and 50 bullets.